US Labor Department announces $67 million in grants for Indian tribes, tribal organizations and Alaska Native entities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced approximately $67 million in grant funds for the Workforce Investment Act Indian and Native American Program.

"These grants will help organizations implement training programs to prepare workers for good jobs that pay family-supporting wages," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Funding awarded through this competition will directly support American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities in both developing their local economies and preparing workers to better meet the needs of promising regional industries."

Of the $67 million, approximately $53 million is available to fund a Comprehensive Service Program for adults. Approximately $14 million is available for a Supplemental Services Program for youth. The adult program will provide quality employment and training services that prepare Native Americans to gain employment in today's competitive workforce. Program participants will include unemployed, underemployed and low-income individuals.

The youth program will offer summer and year-round employment and training activities for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian youth between the ages of 14 and 21. Program resources are targeted to at-risk individuals who face substantial barriers to educational and employment success. This population includes high school dropouts and youth who are in need of basic skills training.

Awards under the Comprehensive Service Program are anticipated to range from approximately $16,000 to $5.8 million each. Awards under the Supplemental Services Program are anticipated to range from approximately $1,073 to $3.1 million. Final award amounts in each category will be determined, in part, by census data.

To read the solicitation for grant applications, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5371.pdf. For additional assistance in applying to this solicitation, interested applicants should review ETA's online suite of resources for grant applicants at http://www.workforce3one.org/page/grants_toolkit.